For the past four years, Alison Johnson has played a key role in advancing Monarch’s approach to supporting youth experiencing behavioral health crises. As the director of occupational therapy (OT) at the SECU Youth Crisis Center (YCC) in Charlotte, N.C., she meets with each individual admitted, conducts a thorough evaluation and helps create a personalized treatment plan.
Her work at the YCC is also helping shape the future of OT at Monarch. Alison will oversee the development of all occupational therapy positions at the new Stephen M. Morris Behavioral Health Center (SMMBHC), a mental health and substance use facility in Concord slated to open mid-2026.
“We’re going to have occupational therapy at the SMMBHC, both at the Facility-Based Crisis (FBC) Center and Psychiatric Resident Treatment Facility (PRTF),” said Alison. “We work with kids with sensory processing disorders and we’re going to do that at the SMMBHC as well. I’m excited to expand on what we’re doing.”
As we recognize National Occupational Therapy (OT) Month this April, Alison shares insights from her work supporting youth in crisis, offering a closer look at the approach to care that will be carried forward at the SMMBHC:
Q: What drew you to occupational therapy and how did you find your way to Monarch?
“I was first drawn to OT through my aunt, who spent her career as an OT in a school system in Colorado. She had a gift for looking beyond diagnoses and seeing each person’s strengths and potential and that perspective stayed with me.
Occupational Therapy is actually my second career. After finishing graduate school in 2021, I moved to the Charlotte area, passed my board exam and began looking for opportunities where I could help build something new.
That’s what led me to Monarch. I started in Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), helping introduce OT services where they didn’t previously exist and have since grown into my current role as director of OT.”
Q: What role does the OT play in a youth crisis facility?
“It’s unique to have OT services at the Youth Crisis Center (YCC). Many people think of OT services in hospital or school-based settings, but we also do work in behavioral health settings. When somebody with an additional diagnosis, like an intellectual disability, arrives at the SECU YCC, they become eligible to receive OT services here. I meet with them individually and complete a comprehensive evaluation. I look at their behavioral health and factors that led to their admission, but also take a holistic perspective on their lives. I really am interested in what their activities are, what their daily routines are and what roles they play.
We have certified OT assistants who lead therapeutic groups each day. Those groups address skills like learning emotional regulation strategies, new coping skills, engaging in activities of interest, doing arts and crafts to express themselves, learning new communication skills and learning how to start a new habit or routine. We address all these things here.”
Alison’s approach offers a preview of how OT will be incorporated at the SMMBHC, expanding access to these services for both youth and adults in crisis.
Q: Creating a safe and supportive environment is important for each patient. What do you do that helps create a safe, supportive environment for them?
“Safety and support are really our core mission here. We have systems and processes in place to address safety on a daily basis. This could be ensuring that we’re limiting items that are allowed on the units, that youth bedroom doors are secure during the day and being consistent with our unit rules.
For support, we try to take a listen-first approach. I think we are all empathetic and are here for the kids. We practice listening first, and we practice trying to acknowledge where somebody’s at and trying to meet them where they are. We offer a lot of options for youth. Consistency and structure are important with that, too.”
This focus on structure, individualized treatment and meeting people where they are reflects the approach to care that will be carried forward at the SMMBHC, helping create environments where individuals feel both safe and supported during such vulnerable moments of crisis.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working with the people we support?
“I enjoy the opportunity to truly get to know people as individuals. This work emphasizes seeing the whole person: their strengths, preferences, values and lived experiences. Whether progress happens quickly or over time, it is rewarding to work with people as they build confidence and a sense of agency in their own lives.
The people we support often remind me of the importance of laughter and joy. Even on challenging days, they have an incredible ability to bring levity and perspective into the moment. Those shared laughs create connection and trust and are often as meaningful as any therapeutic intervention.”
Q: Can you share a meaningful or memorable moment from your time at Monarch?
“When I was first hired, I was brought on to develop OT as a new service within Monarch’s Mecklenburg ACT team. That experience remains one of the most meaningful chapters of my career.
One of my first clients, whom I worked with closely for over a year, faced many complex challenges, including hoarding behaviors, housing instability, substance abuse, serious and persistent mental illness and a later-in-life autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.
Over time, this individual was able to access necessary support services that helped stabilize housing, improve safety within his living environment and build essential life skills for daily functioning. One of the most rewarding outcomes was seeing him eventually begin working a part‑time job – something that once felt out of reach.”
Q: How rewarding is it to see someone make progress and see the difference you made in their lives?
“This is a very rewarding job. It can be challenging at times, but [there are] moments where you see tangible progress. Over the course of time with us, it’s not that those feelings of anger and frustration go away, but I’ve been able to see them respond to it differently. It just [gives me] goosebumps and makes my heart feel like it’s going to explode. I just celebrate with them, and I want to acknowledge the effort that they’re giving.”
Q: What makes you proud to be part of the Monarch team?
“I am proud to be part of an organization that values person‑centered care, innovation and ongoing professional growth. Monarch’s commitment to innovation is the reason OT services are offered within the organization. Occupational Therapy is not commonly integrated into the behavioral health care system in N.C., and Monarch’s investment in OT has allowed us to move into uncharted territory.”
That commitment to innovation continues as Monarch expands into new territory with the SMMBHC, where OT will be incorporated as part of the comprehensive, person-centered approach to care.
“I’m also proud of the dedication and integrity of our teams. The work we do is not always easy, but it is approached with care, professionalism and a strong sense of purpose. Being part of a team that supports one another, invests in continuous learning and remains focused on helping individuals live fuller, more meaningful lives is something I am genuinely grateful for.”
As Monarch prepares to open the SMMBHC, the approach Alison brings to her work today offers a glimpse into the care that will be expanded there – grounded in person-centered, compassionate support delivered by dedicated professionals who genuinely care.
Monarch is proud of Alison and the many team members who bring this level of care to life every day. As services continue to grow, so do opportunities to be part of that work. To learn more about current openings, including OT roles, visit monarchnc.org/careers.